Scouting Cary-Grove girls basketball

Cary-Grove Trojans

Coach: Rod Saffert (5th year, 87-30)

Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)

2009-10 record: 26-4 (9-1 FVC Valley)

Top returning players: Claire Jakubicek (Sr., 6-0 G/F), Meg Straumann (Sr., 5-8 G), Olivia Jakubicek (So., 5-10 F), Johanna Geegan (Sr., 5-7 G/F), Paige Lincicum (Jr., 5-9 G).

Top newcomers: Alyssa Lee (Jr., 5-8 G), Jennifer Perkins (Jr., 5-6 G), Joslyn Nicholson (So., 5-10 F)

Season outlook: Cary-Grove is looking for another banner season, and why not? With the Jakubicek sisters returning and healthy Straumann back from an ACL injury, the Trojans are the team to beat again in the FVC Valley. "We want to contend for a conference, regional and sectional title," said Saffert. "We will need to work hard every day in practice to get the job done. If all of us want the same thing and come together as a unit, we can accomplish our goals."

Claire Jakubicek, who is signed with Northern Illinois, is one of the most versatile big players in the state. She averaged 16.8 points, 8 rebounds, 2.3 assist and 3.1 steals per game last season. She entered the season with 1,096 career points and should become the school's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Eve Barry's 1,232, well before Christmas, if not before Thanksgiving. Her sophomore sister Olivia averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds a night last season and Straumann averaged 9.8 points and 3 assists before getting injured. "We will have some strong senior leadership along with some strong underclassmen who will step up to the challenge of varsity basketball and get it done for us," Saffert said. "We are short on numbers but that will only create opportunities for girls to shine. We will need to stay healthy, hungry and together."